System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Release Candidate

System Center 2012 Configuration Manager RC1 is now available. Please see the announcement from the Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform Blog.

My favorite features:

System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection is now integrated in Configuration Manager.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh508760.aspx

Simulated Application Deployment

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh508773.aspx

The download is available from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27841

You need to install IIS with ASP.NET, BITS and Remote Differential Compression. For certain roles you will need .NET Framework 4.0.

You also need to install SQL Server 2008 SP2 with Cumulative Update 6. SQL Server 2008 R2 is not supported in RC1 but will be supported in RTM. 

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=12548

Cumulative update package 6 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2582285

Please read the supported configurations:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682077.aspx

And here you have the installation guide:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682172.aspx

Happy testing!

PS: Have you noticed the name change?